ElevenLabs just launched a new AI-powered SFX library — this is a big deal

ElevenLabs logo on phone sitting on top of keyboard
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

ElevenLabs, the leader in artificial intelligence sound generation, has published a library of sound effects made using its AI model. There are dozens of categories covering instruments, nature, emotions and animals.

SFX Explore pulls together the sound effects generated by ElevenLabs itself, as well as individual users of the AI audio platform. These sounds are great for bringing life to an AI-generated film, adding color to a podcast or bringing a video game to life.

Article continues below

Why an SFX library?

YouTube YouTube
Watch On

My first thought when I read the X post from ElevenLabs talking about the new library was to ask “why bother” when you can just use a text prompt to create the exact sound you need for a project.

Having spent some time exploring the SFX Explore library, though, I can now see its purpose. As well as providing the sound file to download, it also gives you the prompt and an easy way to reuse and adapt it as needed.

On the first page, you’re presented with a selection of hand-picked sounds including one that sounds exactly like the start of some of the most epic blockbuster movie trailers of all time. Then there is another that sounds like something undead is going to come out of the screen and a third that sounds like a perfect vintage radio.

At its heart what the library offers is a prompting guide as much as a repository of sounds. It offers a better way to learn how to best utilize the AI model with real-world examples that can be adapted or recreated.

All we need now is for Midjourney to take this as inspiration and create a library of Sref codes so it becomes easier to generate images with a unique flare.

More from Tom's Guide

Category
Brand
Processor
RAM
Storage Size
Colour
Condition
Storage Type
Minimum Price
Any Minimum Price
Maximum Price
Any Maximum Price
Showing 10 of 22 deals
Filters
Arrow
Show more
Ryan Morrison

As the former AI Editor for Tom's Guide, Ryan wielded his vast industry experience with a mix of skepticism and enthusiasm, unpacking the complexities of AI in a way that could almost make you forget about the impending robot takeover.
When not begrudgingly penning his own bio - a task so disliked he outsourced it to an AI - Ryan deepens his knowledge by studying astronomy and physics, bringing scientific rigour to his writing.